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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2013, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (9): 46-51.

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Microarray Analysis of Large Scale Gene Expression Profiles between Male and Female Cones of Pinus tabulaeformis

Niu Shihui1, Yuan Huwei1, Chen Xiaoyang1,2, Li Wei1   

  1. 1. National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University Beijing 100083;
    2. College of Forestry, South China Agricultural University Guangzhou 510642
  • Received:2013-01-14 Revised:2013-03-07 Online:2013-09-25 Published:2013-09-19

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Abstract:

Reproductive control is an important part of the conifer genetic improvement and seed production process, on which there are a lot of practical experience accumulation. However, the relevant study in molecular biology on the development and regulation of conifers male and female cones is still very scarce. The Pinus tabulaeformis transcriptome of a normalized cDNA library from multiple tissues and individuals was sequenced, and a total of 46 584 unigenes were found. Based on the information of these genes, microarrays of P. tabulaeformis were designed. Through the microarray analysis of large scale gene expression profiles between male and female cones at the later stage of development, 2 460 differentially expressed genes were obtained, of which 1 309 are predominantly expressed in male cones while 1 151 are predominantly expressed in female cones. Two unknown function genes with over 800 fold changes in their expression were chosen from the male and female and named as MCE 1 (Male Cone Expressed 1)and FCE 1 (Female Cone Expressed 1), respectively. Their expression patterns were analyzed in male and female cones at the different developmental stages. The results showed that the MCE 1 was specifically highly expressed in male cones, however almost not expressed in female cones at different developmental stages, indicating it could be involved in the development of male cones. The FCE 1 was highly expressed in male cones at the early stage, and the expression was drastically reduced with the development. However, the expression of the FCE 1 was always highly expressed in female cones at different developmental stages. Therefore, the FCE 1 may play a different role in the development of male and female cones. This study would provide a new method and facilitate future molecular biology studies on the development of male and female cones of P. tabulaeformis and other related species.

Key words: Pinus tabulaeformis, transcriptome sequencing, microarray, female cones, male cones

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